Finance Advisor at Jhpiego - John Hopkins University

Overview

• The Finance Advisor (FA) reports to the Director of Finance and Operations and will be responsible for providing the financial management for Jhpiego projects as assigned and managed.
• The FA will ensure that the financial reports are compatible with sound accounting practices and follow Jhpiego policy and procedures.
• The FA will be responsible for ensuring cost consciousness, efficient bank and cash management system, and implementation of on-site financial accounting practices required to assure systems integrity.

Responsibilities

• Financial planning, budgeting and reporting for assigned projects
• Implements and oversee a detailed financial reporting process in accordance with Jhpiego's established financial system.
• Prepares the monthly financial report by using adapted finance software (QuickBooks) and ensures accuracy.
• Use various software applications such as spreadsheets, relational databases, statistical packages, and graphic packages to assemble, analyze, and format data and/or reports
• Ensures financial management systems provide accurate, current, and complete disclosure of financial transactions
• Works collaboratively with the Director of Finance and Operations to ensure proper project and financial reporting, spending and compliance with project terms and conditions.
• Closely monitors cash flow and assures budgets are followed so spending is on track
• Implements and guide staff on policies and procedures and lead trainings, as needed
• Support financial reporting process to donors as needed.

Bank and Cash Management:

• Perform daily, weekly, or monthly reconciliation of all bank accounts against general ledger records.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve variances, errors, or missing transactions, and immediately escalate issues to line manager
• Prepare and post journal vouchers or adjusting entries for resolved items.
• Monitor cash positions, direct deposits, and collection accounts.
• Maintain bank correspondence and follow ups
• Ensure sufficient funds are always available to meet project needs
• Review petty cash management system and ensure compliance across the country program
• Serves as Jhpiego’s liaison with banking officials.

 Receivables and Payables:

• Review requests for travel and project advances.
• Ensure advance requests follow Jhpiego laid down policy and procedures and approved budgets.
• Collect and review receipts, invoices, and travel expense reports after trips or completion of project activities.
• Check that all expenses align with the original advance amount/purpose.
• Calculate unused cash and ensure refunds to Jhpiego.
• Post all approved travel expenses in the financial management system.
• Calculate, deduct, and account for mandatory government taxes on invoices (such as VAT, WHT, PAYE etc).
• Prepare scheduled remittance on time to statutory tax authorities.
• Archive digital and physical payment documents, e.g. tax receipts, and ensure financial records are properly maintained and readily available during audits.

Other duties:

• Support the Finance and Operations Director to facilitate the work of external audits
• Support the Finance and Operations Director to draft responses to audit findings and follow-up on the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Prepare balance sheet report/ageing analysis that reconciles all balance sheet items on monthly basis
• Determines updated monthly project accruals and projections to support forecasting accuracy and program completion, as needed
• Regularly reviews accounting transactions to ensure costs are allowable and reasonable
• Serve as a resource person for non-finance staff on USG, JHU and Jhpiego rules and policy.
• Preforms other projects related activities as assigned by the supervisor or by Jhpiego management.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or its recognized equivalent
• MBA in Accounting or professional qualification (CPA, ACCA or recognized equivalent) is required.
• Minimum of 5-8 years relevant experience in finance or accounting.
• Knowledge of institutional donors regulations, procedures and requirements a plus.
• Strong presentation and communications skills, oral and written
• Highly organized with keen attention to detail and ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities
• Strong interpersonal, presentation and communications skills, oral and written
• A team player with experience working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Be self-motivated, proactive and have a positive attitude to work requiring minimum supervision.
• Be of high integrity and have a sense of confidentiality
• Be willing to take on extra responsibilities in order to achieve the goals/objectives set by the organization.
• Must be flexible and able to work independently and as part of a team.